Coolant economizer for internal combustion engines



Sept. 1 1958 DUNNIGAN 2,852,008

COOL-ANT ECONOMIZER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed March 8, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q INVENTOR.

Sept. 16, 1958 J. L. DUNNIGAN COOLANT ECONOMIZER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed March 8, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

COOLANT ECONOMIZER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Joseph L. Dunnigan, Baltimore, Md.

Application March 8, 1957, Serial No. 644,904

9 Claims. (Cl. 123-25) economizing on the amount of the liquid used as well as to improve the operation of an internal combustion engine.

This is a continuation-in-part application of United States patent application Serial Number 561,834, filed by applicant on January 27, 1956, for Coolant Economizer for Internal Combustion Engines, and now abandoned.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved type of a radiator overflow conserver which will avoid some of the disadvantages and limitations of the previous art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved radiator overflow conserver which can be adapted to variations in volume induced in the coolant, as it heats and cools.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved radiator overflow conserver which will adapt its operation to the operative needs of an internal combustion engine and which will conserve the coolant.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved radiator overflow conserver for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, including a device which will operate automatically and indicate visually, the operative condition of the system.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved radiator overflow conserver in an engine cooling system that includes a device which utilizes the vacuumatic action of an internal combustion engine to actuate it, thereby controlling its operation to suit the temperature and condition of the coolant and automatically take up and which returns excess coolant to the radiator, as the case may induce.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved cooling system for an internal combustion engine which will be effective and particularly efiicient in its use of the coolant.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved cooling system which will operate effectively without loss of coolant.

In the use of liquid radiators generally employed in the construction of internal combustion engines for automobiles of modern design, it is customary to meet the higher temperatures involved in the use of more highly efiicient engines of greater capacity and horsepower per unit of weight by using a radiator with a high pressure cap to maintain its coolant. As more heat is developed in the engine, the Water of the coolant gets hotter, makes steam and develops a pressure above normal. The pressure generated causes the pressure cap to open and steam, together with the coolant, escapes through the overflow pipe to the ground.

The cooling system, at the same time, is pressurized. This is dangerous to the radiator and engine since it 2,852,008 Patented Sept. 16, 1958 increases the liability of an explosion or at least leakage through joints and cracks of the radiator and engine. The pressure increases the temperature of the coolant at the rate of about 2 /2 F. per pound increase of pressure.

When the engine is stopped, the circulation of the coolant is retarded also so that the heat absorbed by the engine (from the previous operation) is dissipated so slowly that the water or coolant is heated above the boiling point, thus inducing it to boil and steam over. This is generally termed the after boil, and it causes an appreciable loss of the coolant which is expanded and passed through the overflow to the ground.

The coolant lost is replaced by air. The air induces oxidation or rust in the radiator or engine, with consequent rusting and scaling along the iron surfaces inside the water-jacket of the engine. The scales eventually lodge in the radiator in low places of the cooling system, causing trouble.

In the present invention, oxidizing effects, by having the cooling system filled with coolant, is reduced to a minimum.

Leakage is common in modern radiators of automobiles by reason of their relatively weak construction and liability to develop cracks and holes from the vibration and jolts because of use on the highways and any increase in internal pressure. The manufacturers appreciated this, and counteract the effects by limiting the time of guarantee to ninety days.

As an added protection against complaints arising from customers, the manufacturers frequently use stopleak pellets to fill up and seal such cracks developing in the engine or radiator during the duration of the guarantee. This is standard among some manufacturers and offers a way to avoid complaints from non-technical users who do not realize the basis for troubles of this nature as they develop later and which they are not enlightened on. The pellets tend to clog up the small tubes in the radiator cores. This eventually develops serious trouble by inducing overheating from reduction of the cooling area of the radiator.

In the use or" this invention, the cooling system is kept clean, rusting or corrosion is greatly eliminated, the coolant is retained in full, and the system works within a more desirable temperature range.

The invention is supplementary to the conventional cooling system of an internal combustion engine, and includes a palpitating tank, an indicator, connections to the radiator, a vacuum system, and connecting tubing. The tank is sensitized as the engine runs, and actuates as the cooling varies in volume under the heating and cooling effects of the engine. When the coolant expands and passes into the overflow pipe, it is caught, cooled and carried to the palpitating tank where it is stored presently and then eventually returned to the radiator, to refill it to its normal level. The indicator shows visually that the coolant passes through the system and by its color, or opacity, whether it be befouled or not.

These and other objects of this invention, as well as the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood 'by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a schematic showing components of an internal combustion engine and the piping therefor;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of three major components of the economizer, illustrating their relative position to each other;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the dash board indicator;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the economizer, with the cover removed;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the center core of the economizer; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken along line 66 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, there is illustrated an internal combustion engine 10 having a cooling radiator 11 connected to it in conventional style. A dashboard or instrument panel 13 is represented in an auto mobile in its normal position, and it has a flow indicator 14 attached to it, where it may be observed by the driver of the automobile.

A radiator overflow conserver or palpitating tank unit 12 comprising this invention is attached to the wall 15 in back of the engine 10. However, the tank unit 12 can be positioned in other spaces in the automobile. It has various tubings 18, 20, 22, together with 26, connecting it to the intake manifold 17, the cap 16 of the radiator 11, and the overflow pipe 26A of the radiator 11, respec tively. The connections to the parts are of conventional type and designed to provide a leakproof system. The cap 16 is provided with a radiator lead-in 56, as shown in Fig. 2.

The radiator overflow conserver or palpitating tank 12, as best seen in Figs. 2, 4, and 5, is a suitable and compact unit comprising a transparent bottle 66 preferably of about one-half gallon size. This bottle 66, when in use, is kept about half full with liquid coolant A. The neck 67 of the bottle 6-6, as seen best in Fig. 5, is provided with a suitable screw thread formation or other type of connection suitable for a cover 911 and a screw lid 68. The cover 90 has a neck 23 consisting of upper and lower sections 70 and 71 soldered together projecting above it. The cover is surmounted by a screw lid 68 to close it to the bottle 66.

The upper section 70 of the neck 23 has a connection 24 with a reduced orifice 84 inside the neck 23. A flange '82 is provided to hold the connection 24 in position. The tubing 18 is attached to this connection 24 and it is attached at its other end to the intake manifold 17 of the engine 11 Where the operation of the engine produces a vacuum. This tubing 18 is termed the vacuum line. The space 49 in the neck 23 is termed the vacuum chamber and serves to decrease the vacuum below the orifice 84.

When the cover 96 is placed in position over the open neck 67 of the bottle 66, the lid 68 holds it tightly against the top of the bottle neck. Gaskets may be used if desired. The underside of the cover 90 supports a valve 91 which has a conically faced valve seat 96. This valve seat 96 is closed by a tapered head 94 suspended on a spindle 95 reciprocable in a hole 97. A pin 99 limits the opening movement of the valve 91 by resting on the surface of the disc 99.

On the underside of the disc 90 is mounted a cylindrical float chamber 74-, transparent or otherwise, and it is held tightly thereto in any suitable manner, such as by soldering. The float chamber extends down to a point 101 spaced from the inside bottom of the bottle 66. The bottom 101 of the float chamber 74 is closed by a base cover 98, and it has an opening 160 provided therein which is closeable by a freely suspended check valve 162. This valve 102 will shut When raised against the base cover 98. At the side of the float chamber 74 near the bottom 101 is a connection 81 with a passage 83 for connection 78, which, in turn, is connected to a tubing 20. The float chamber 74 contains a cylindrical plastic float 76 fitting loosely therein so it can rise and fall readiiy as the coolant A is raised or lowered therein as it flows in and out of the chamber. When the float 76 rises high enough, it contacts the valve head 94 and closes the upper vacuum valve seat 96.

The overflow pipe 26A is connected by tubing 26 to the visual gauge 14 on the dashboard 13 and thence by tubing 22 and connection 80 to the interior of the bottle 66. This connection is utilized to withdraw the coolant A from the interior of the bottle 66. When the vacuum tector for the bottle 66.

system is shut oif, when valve 91 is closed, the coolant A in the system expands back through tubing 26, as well as tubing 20, into the interior of the bottle 66. On contraction of the coolant A, it flows through tubings 2d and 26 back into the radiator 11.

A quasi-cylindrical shell 60 serves as a holder and pro- It is of thin material and has large circular openings '62 to permit inspection of the coolant A in the bottle 66. It can have a bottom 6 2- to serve as a supporting plate for the bottle 66. The shell 60 has a flange 72 at the back thereof to provide a fiat surface that will enable it to be attached to the wall 15 with bolts through holes '(not shown) drilled or punched in it. An aperture 112 is provided in the disc 91). Likewise, an aperture is provided in the float chamber 74. Aperture 112 connects the interior of the bottle 66 with the atmosphere, while aperture 110 connects the float chamber 74 with the interior of the bottle 66.

The visual indicator 14, as seen best in Figs. 2 and 3, is connected to tubings 22 and 26 by lead-in lines 28. These lines 28, in turn, connect to a rubber housing 32 of the indicator 14, which has a copper unit 38 therein. At the forward part of the indicator 1 there is provided an indicator bulb 40 which has a small red ball 46 provided in the interior cavity 42 in the bulb 40. As long as the ball 46 floats, there is suflicient coolant A in the system. When the ball 46 drops, additional coolant A should be placed in the system. Bulb 40 is provided with a flange 44 for securing it to the rubber bulb 32 for use of a metal clamp 36. A bracket 30 can be used to secure the indicator 14 to the dashboard 13.

The term tubing in this specification is used in its broad sense to include piping, tubes, ducts and the like employed .to convey fluid from one place to another.

The attachment of the components to retain them in place follows general practice, and has not been emphasized, as it is appreciated that such is well understood by those skilled in the mechanical arts, whether indicated or not.

The operation of the system will now be explained. When the engine 10 is started, a vacuumatic eflect is produced in the intake manifold 17. The sucking eifect induced at the manifold 17 draws in through the tubing 18 and through the neck 70, and float chamber 74. This creates a vacuum in the float chamber and closes valve 102.

Air is removed from the top of the radiator 11 through the upper tube 20 from the radiator, connection 78, and through the float chamber 74. The flap valve 102 in the bottom of the float chamber 74 is lifted to a closed position and it prevents any more water from the bottle 66 from entering the float chamber 74. The vacuum chamber 49 draws the air through the vacuum valve 91 in the top of the float chamber 74. The air then continues through the restricted orifice 84, through connection 24 and tubing 18 to the intake manifold. The holes 112 are about g inch in diameter.

While the tubing 20 is pulling air from the radiator cap 16, it forms a partial vacuum in the tubing and radiator 11 suflicient to propel coolant A from the bottle 66, through the connection 80, and tubing 22 by the indicator 14 on the instrument panel 13, where it can be observed by the operator of the automobile.

The coolant A then flows through tubing 26 to the overflow pipe 26A of the radiator 11 and spills into the radiator 11. As the radiator 11 becomes full, its extra coolant A passes through the tubing 20 and con nection 78 into the float chamber 74 again. The coolant A as it passes into the float chamber 74 raises the float 76 which, in turn, lifts the vacuum tapered head 94 and closes the valve 91. The vacuum stress induced in the vacuum chamber 49 increases and forces the valve 91 to keep tightly closed.

After the vacuum valve 91 is closed and the running engine maintains the vacuum reaction in the intake manifold 17, the relief vent hole 112, together with vent hole 110 (about & inch diameter), breaks the vacuum effect in the float chamber 74. This allows the flap valve 102 to open and the coolant A in the float chamber 74- to pass out and level oil to the level in the bottle 66. Vent holes, such as 110 and 112, can be located anywhere Within the venting area and sized to suit the requirements.

The system then works in an intermittent or palpitating manner, depending on the amount of expansion and contraction of the coolant. As the coolant A warms up, it expands and passes through tubings and 26 into the float chamber 74 and adjusts the system to the condition. If the coolant A cools olf (as when the engine 10 stops running), it contracts in the radiator system and, in so doing, draws the coolant A back through tubings 20 and 26 into the radiator 11 from the float chamber 74. This is due to the tubings 78 and 80 being open at a point below the water level in the bottle 66, allowing air and vapors to escape but retaining the coolant A.

When the engine 16 stops, the amount of vacuum in the tubing 18 is reduced or broken, permitting the top vacuum valve 91 to open up, ready to resume the sequence of operations when the engine 10 is started again. The action is automatic, both at starting and at stopping.

It is desirable that leaks in the parts of the system be eliminated and the coolant kept to a filling point at all times. This is to prevent the ingress of air that tends to create oxidization and incidental rust, scale and leakage, thus rendering the performance of the engine 10 better and protecting its cooling system.

It can be appreciated that the vacuum induced in the line 18 draws air from the float chamber 74, thence air or coolant A into this chamber through the tubing 20 to the cap 16.

If coolant A is added to the bottle 66, the water or coolant level rises and gets into the float chamber 74, which level is raised also. The float 76 is raised and closes the vacuum valve 91 and it stays closed. When the engine 10 is stopped, the vacuum effect is eliminated, the vacuum valve 91 drops open, as also does the check valve 102 and air comes in through the vent holes 110 and 112 to release the vacuum to balance the level of the coolant A in the bottle 66. When the level of the coolant A is equal in both the bottle 66 and chamber 74, the check valve 102 stays open.

The venting of the chamber 74 and the bottle 66 maintains a balance in the palpitating tank unit 12, and relieves it of undesirable excess of air. The action of the unit is of a palpitating nature due to the variations in heat and volume of the coolant, continuously.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a water-jacket type radiator, a cap for said radiator, an intake manifold, an overflow pipe, and connections for the circulation of a coolant therethrough; a palpitating tank unit, comprising, a bottle adapted to hold a predetermined amount of said coolant including a cover to seal the interior of said bottle, tubing for conducting said coolant from said overflow pipe to said bottle and terminating at a level adjacent the lower portion of said bottle, a float chamber disposed in said bottle for holding a varying amount of said coolant therein, tubing for conducting vapors and said coolant from said cap to the lower portion of the interior of said chamber, another tubing leading from the said manifold to the upper portion of said unit to create a vacuum in the said chamber when said engine is running, a vacuum valve for controlling the vacuum effect in said chamber disposed at the entrance thereto at the top of said bottle, a check valve at the bottom of said chamber to control the flow of said coolant from the interior of said bottle into the said chamber, a float loosely disposed in said chamber adapted to rise and close said vacuum valve when said coolant is at a predetermined level in said chamber, a cover for said bottle to seal its interior from the atmosphere so said coolant will be conducted through said tubings in predetermined sequence when said engine produces a vacuum at said intake manifold to draw air from the said cap and radiator and when said vacuum is broken, said coolant in said radiator expands to flow out through said overflow pipe and its tubing to the interior of said float chamber, and vent holes in the wall of said float chamber and said cover to vent said chamber and bottle.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a water-jacket type radiator, a cap for said radiator, an intake manifold, an overflow pipe, and connections for the circulation of a coolant therethrough; a palpitating tank unit, comprising, a bottle adapted to hold a predetermined amount of said coolant including a cover to seal the interior of said bottle, tubing for conducting said coolant trom said overflow pipe to said bottle and terminating at a level adjacent the lower portion of said bottle, a float. chamber disposed in said bottle for holding a varying amount of said coolant therein, tubing for conducting vapors and said coolant from said cap to the lower portion of the interior of said chamber, another tubing leading from the said manifold to the upper portion of said unit to create a vacuum in the said chamber when said engine is running, a vacuum valve for controlling the vacuum effect in said chamber disposed at the entrance thereto at the top of said bottle, a check valve at the the bottom of said chamber to control the flow of said coolant from the interior of said bottle into the said chamber, a float loosely disposed in said chamber adapted to rise and close said vacuum valve when said coolant is at a predetermined level in said chamber, a cover for said bottle to seal its interior from the atmosphere so that said coolant will be conducted through said tubings in predetermined sequence when said engine pro duces a vacuum at its intake manifold to draw air from the said cap and radiator and when said vacuum is broken, said coolant in said radiator expands to flow out through said overflow pipe and its tubing to the interior of said float chamber.

3. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a water-jacket type radiator, a cap for said radiator, an intake manifold, an overflow pipe, and connections for the circulation of a coolant therethrough; a palpitating tank unit, comprising, a bottle adapted to hold a predetermined amount of said coolant including a cover to seal the interior of said bottle, tubing for conducting said coolant from said overflow pipe to said bottle and terminating at a level adjacent the lower portion of said bottle, a float chamber disposed in said bottle for holding a varying amount of said coolant therein, tubing for conducting vapors and said coolant from said cap to the lower portion of the interior of said chamber, anoth r tubing leading from the said manifold to the upper portion of said unit to create a vacuum in the said chamber when said engine is running, a vacuum valve for controlling the vacuum effect in said chamber disposed at the entrance thereto at the top of said bottle, a check valve at the bottom of said chamber to control the flow of coolant from said bottle into the said chamber, a float loosely disposed in said chamber adapted to rise and close said vacuum valve when said coolant is at a predetermined level in said chamber, a cover for said bottle to seal its interior from the atmosphere so said coolant will be conducted through said tubings in predetermined sequence when said engine produces a vacuum at said t intake manifold to draw air from the said cap and radiator and when said vacuum is broken, said coolant in said radiator expands to flow out through said overflow pipe and its tubing to the interior of said float chamber, vent holes in the wall of said float chamber and said cover to vent said chamber and bottle, said bottle including a projecting neck terminating with an open mouth, and a disc placeable at said mouth of said bottle tightly held thereto by said cover, means for attaching said vacuum valve to said disc and arranging it for free operation at said neck of said bottle.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a water-jacket type radiator, a cap for said radiator, an intake manifold, an overflow pipe, and connections for the circulation of a coolant therethrough; a palpitating tank unit, comprising, a bottle adapted to hold a predetermined amount of said coolant including a cover to seal the interior of said bottle, tubing for conducting said coolant from said overflow pipe to said bottle and terminating at a level adjacent the lower portion of said bottle, a float chamber disposed in said bottle for holding a varying amount of said coolant therein, tubing for conducting vapors and said coolant from said cap to the lower portion of the interior of said chamber, another tubing leading from the said manifold to the-upper portion of said unit to create a vacuum in the said chamber when said engine is running, a vacuum valve for controlling the vacuum effect in said chamber disposed at the entrance thereto at the top of said bottle, a check valve at the bottom of said chamber to control the flow of said coolant from the interior of said bottle into the said chamber, a float loosely disposed in said chamber adapted to rise and close said vacuum valve when said coolant is at a predetermined level in said chamber, a cover for said bottle to seal its interior from the atmosphere so said coolant will be conducted through said tubings in predetermined sequence when said engine produces a vacuum at said intake manifold to draw air from the said cap and radiator and when said vacuum is broken, said coolant in said radiator expands to flow out through said overflow pipe and its tubing to the interior of said float chamber, vent holes in the wall of said float chamber and said cover to vent said chamber and bottle, said bottle including a projecting neck terminating with an open mouth, a disc placeable at said mouth of said bottle tightly held thereto by said cover, means for attaching said vacuum valve to said disc and arranging it for free operation at said neck of said bottle, and means for restricting said manifold tubing connection where it enters said cover to effect a better distribution of the vacuum acting thereflirough.

5. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a water-jacket type radiator, a cap for said radiator, an intake manifold, an overflow pipe, and connections for the circulation of a coolant therethrough; a palpitating tank unit, comprising, a bottle adapted to hold a predetermined amount of said coolant including a cover to seal the interior of said bottle, tubing for conducting said coolant from said overflow pipe to said bottle and terminating at a level adjacent the lower portion of said bottle, a float chamber disposed in said bottle for holding a varying amount of said coolant therein, tubing for conducting vapors and said coolant from said cap to the lower portion of the interior of said chamber, another tubing leading from the said manifold to the upper portion of said unit to create a vacuum in the said chamer when said engine is running, a vacuum valve for controlling the vacuum effect in said chamber disposed at the entrance thereto at the top of said bottle, a check valve at the bottom of said chamber to control the flow of said coolant from said bottle into the said chamber, a float loosely disposed in said chamber adapted to rise and close said vacuum valve when said coolant is at a predetermined level in said chamber, a cover for said bottle to seal its interiorfrom the atmosphere so said coolant will be conducted through said tubings in predetermined sequence when said engine produces a vacuum at said intake manifold to draw air from the said cap and radiator and when said vacuum is broken, said coolant in said radiator expands to flow out through said overflow pipe and its tubing to the interior of said float chamber, vent holes in the wall of said float chamber and said cover to vent said chamber and bottle, said bottle including a projecting neck terminating with an open mouth, and a disc placeable at said mouth of said bottle tightly held thereto by said cover, means for attaching said vacuum valve to said disc and arranging it for free operation at said neck of said bottle, means for restricting said manifold tubing connection where it enters said cover to effect a better distribution of the vacuum acting therethrough, and a visual indicator installed in series in said tubing to said overflow pipe to show how said unit is operating.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a water-jacket type radiator, a cap for said radiator, an intake manifold, an overflow pipe, and connections for the circulation of a coolant therethrough; a palpitating tank unit, comprising, a bottle adapted to hold a predetermined amount of said coolant including a cover to seal the interior of said bottle, tubing for conducting said coolant from said overflow pipe to said bottle and terminating at a level adjacent the lower portion of said bottle, a float chamber disposed in said bottle for holding a varying amount of said coolant therein, tubing for conducting vapors and said coolant from said cap to the lower portion of the interior of said chamber, another tubing leading from the said manifold to the upper portion of said unit to create a vacuum in the said chamber when said engine is running, a vacuum valve for controlling the vacuum effect in said chamber disposed at the entrance thereto at the top of said bottle, a check valve at the bottom of said chamber to control the flow of said coolant from the interior of said bottle into the said chamber, a float loosely disposed in said chamber adapted to rise and close said vacuum valve when said coolant is at a predetermined level in said chamber, a cover for said bottle to seal its interior from the atmosphere so said coolant will be conducted through said tubings in predetermined sequence when said engine produces a vacuum at its intake manifold to draw air from the said cap and radiator and when said vacuum is broken, said coolant in said radiator expands to flow out through said overflow pipe and its tubing to the interior of said float chamber, vent holes in the wall of said float chamber and cover to vent said chamber and bottle, said bottle including a projecting neck terminating with an open mouth, a disc placeable at said mouth of said bottle tightly held thereto by said cover, means for attaching said vacuum valve to said disc and arranging it for free operation at said neck of said bottle, means for restricting said manifold tubing connection where it enters said cover to effect a better distribution of the vacuum acting therethrough, a visual indicator installed in series in the tubing of said overflow pipe to show how said unit is operating, and a shell for enclosing said bottle and supporting it to a wall.

7. In combination with an internal combustion engine including a water-jacket, a radiator, a cap for said radiator, an intake manifold, an overflow pipe, and connections for the circulation of a coolant therethrough; a palpitating tank unit, comprising, a bottle adapted to hold a predetermined amount of said coolant including a cover to seal the interior of said bottle, tubing for conducting said coolant from said overflow pipe to said bottle and terminating at a level adjacent, the lower portion of said bottle, a float chamber disposed in said bottle for holding a varying amount of said coolant therein, tubing for conducting vapors and said coolant from said cap to the lower portion of the interior of said chamber, another tubing leading from the said manifold to the upper portion of said unit to create a vacuum in the said chamber when said engine is running, a vacuum valve for controlling the vacuum eflect in said chamber disposed at the entrance thereto at the top of said bottle, a check valve at the bottom of said chamber to control the flow of said coolant from the interior of said bottle into the said chamber, a float loosely disposed in said chamber and adapted to rise and close said vacuum valve when said coolant is at a predetermined level in said chamber, a cover for said bottle to seal its interior from the atmosphere so said coolant will be conducted through said tubings in predetermined sequence when said engine produces a vacuum at said intake manifold to draw air from the said cap and radiator and when said vacuum is broken, said coolant in said radiator expands to flow out through jsaid overflow pipe and its tubing to the interior of said float chamber, vent holes in the wall of said float chamber and the cover to vent said chamber and bottle, said bottle including a projecting neck terminating with an open mouth, and a disc placeable at said mouth of said bottle tightly held thereto by said cover, means for attaching said vacuum valve to said disc and arranging it for free operation at said neck of said bottle, means for restricting said manifold tubing connection where it enters the cover to effect a better distribution of the vacuum acting therethrough, a visual indicator installed in series in said tubing of said overflow pipe to show how said unit is operating, a shell for enclosing said bottle and supporting it to a wall, said cover including ,a vacuum chamber in which said restricted connection terminates to provide a larger area for the vacuum effect to distribute itself.

8. In combination with the cooling system of a conventional internal combustion engine including a waterjacket type radiator, an intake manifold, a cap for said radiator, an overflow pipe, and connections for the circulation of a coolant therethrough; an auxiliary arrangement, comprising, a palpitating tank unit having container means including a bottle having a float chamber and adapted to hold a predetermined amount of said coolant including a cover to seal the interior of said bottle, a vacuum valve for controlling the vacuum effect in said chamber disposed at the entrance thereto at the top of said bottle, said float chamber having a float therein actuated by the level of said coolant therein to control the opening and closing of said valve, and three tubings, one of said tubings leading from the said cap to said chamber to conduct vapors and coolant from said cap to lower portion of said chamber, another of said tubings leading from said manifold to the upper portion of the said chamber to create a vacuum in said chamber when said engine is running, and the third of said tubings being connected with said overflow tube of said radiator to conduct excess coolant spilled over thereby to said bottle, with said tubings being connected as aforesaid in an airtight manner, and a check valve at the bottom of said chamber to control the flow of said coolant from the interior of said bottle into said chamber, the operation of said arrangement being dependent on the running of said engine and the creation of a vacuum in said manifold.

9. In combination with the cooling system of a conventional internal combustion engine including a radiator, an intake manifold, a cap for said radiator, a water-jacket, an overflow pipe, and connections between said radiator and water-jacket for the circulation of a coolant; an auxiliary arrangement, comprising, a palpitating tank unit including a bottle having a float chamber therein and adapted to hold a predetermined amount of said coolant, a vacuum valve disposed at the entrance of said bottle to control the vacuum etfect in said chamber, said float chamber having a float positioned therein, actuated by the level of said coolant in said chamber for controlling the opening and closing of said valve, three tubings, one of said tubings leading from the said cap to said chamber to conduct vapors and coolant from said cap to the lower portion of said chamber, another of said tubings leading from said manifold to the upper portion of the said chamber to create a vacuum in said chamber when said engine is running, and the third of said tubings being connected with said overflow tube to said radiator to conduct excess coolant spilled over thereby to said bottle, and means including a check valve disposed at the bottom of said chamber to control the flow of said coolant from the interior of said bottle into said chamber, said tubings being connected as aforesaid in an air-tight manner, the operation of said arrangement being dependent on the running of said engine and the creation of a vacuum in said manifold, said bottle being normally half filled with said coolant and covering the terminus of said overflow tubing.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,627,814 Weeks May 10, 1927 

